Detroit — Jeff Blashill is returning for a fourth season as head coach of the Red Wings.

General manager Ken Holland announced the decision to, not surprisingly, bring back Blashill during Tuesday’s locker clean-out day.

“This team played hard to the finish,” said Holland, who has continually supported his head coach despite two years of missing the playoffs. “He did a good job with the young players in Grand Rapids when he was the coach there, and this year, you look at the impact of (Tyler) Bertuzzi and (Dylan) Larkin and the development and the importance they had on the team; they improved as players.”

Blashill, 44, coached the Red Wings into the playoffs his first season as head coach, but the team has missed the playoffs the last two years after 25 consecutive trips into the playoffs.

Blashill has a 104-105-37 record in three seasons with the Red Wings.

Holland, who said “he’s big on experience," feels the experience Blashill has gained at the NHL level will make him a better coach.

“I just had a conversation in there (the locker room) with one of the young players who had played in the American League last year, and he was telling me (what) his perception of the NHL in the American League, and now when he got to the NHL and played here, it’s totally different,” Holland said. “What a different animal the NHL is than even in the American League, and this is a guy who had success at the American League level.

“In Jeff’s case, you’re in the American League and you had success, when you’re a fan out there and you see the success at that level … the NHL is a whole different ballgame.

“So in Jeff’s case, he has three years of experience, and some of those ideas he might have had when he became an NHL head coach with the success he had in the American League and he had in college, this is a totally different set of circumstances.

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Detroit Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland talks about coach Blashill, the young team's disappointing season and the development and future of a team that has missed the playoffs the past two seasons.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News

“This team played hard until the end. Even when we lost nine (games) in a row, we lost a lot of games by one goal and played hard. The young kids that were brought up, they improved, and he played them and they were important and got minutes.

“The experience of three years in the NHL, and he’s been a guy who has had success along the way, is the reason for him to continue to be head coach of the Detroit Red Wings.”

Captain Henrik Zetterberg also saw maturity and growth from Blashill this season, from when Blashill started with the Red Wings.

“Blash has done a good job. It’s not an easy spot, or easy job to take over,” Zetterberg said. “But he’s been doing a good job with the kids and the older guys. It’s a good locker room — we’re winning together and dealing with the ups and down together.

“I have nothing bad to say about him.

“Coming up from Grand Rapids, as a coach, it’s a big step to come into this locker room and dealing with everything that comes with it. He was more mature (from his first season) and calm.”

Blashill is hopeful he has grown and improved as a head coach at the NHL level.

“I hope I’ve gotten better,” Blashill said. “One thing I’ve tried to do my whole life is self-reflect and look in the mirror and say ‘you have to be better, how do you get better?'

“I’ve always encouraged a free communication in terms of what others think, so I know the areas that I’d like to improve upon. I would also say at any job, the more time you’re in it, the more comfortable you are. It’s easier to be good at it this year than in year one, it’s just easier because of experience.”

Justin Abdelkader: 75 games, 13 goals, 22 assists. The offense returned, and Abdelkader provided the versatility that’s been a hallmark of his career. Can play up and down the lineup, and provides a physical presence. GRADE: B-minus David Guralnick, Detroit News

Andreas Athanasiou: 71 games, 16 goals, 17 assists. Is Athanasiou a part of the future, or a trade piece? You can’t underestimate the 16 goals, after missing time because of a contract standoff. But there are too many games you simply don’t notice him. GRADE: C-plus David Guralnick, Detroit News

David Booth: 28 games, 4 goals, 1 assist. Booth made the team out of a professional tryout in training camp. Didn’t play much, but was a good example for young players with his diligent work in weight room and in practice. GRADE: C David Guralnick, Detroit News

Tyler Bertuzzi: 48 games, 7 goals,17 assists. In the final weeks, Bertuzzi showed the type of player he’s likely to be throughout his career, hanging around the net, scoring dirty goals, and being a valuable complementary piece. GRADE: B David Guralnick, Detroit News

Luke Witkowski: 31 games, 1 goal, 3 assists. Was brought in for his physical presence and versatility — can play forward and defense — and did his job. After his 10-game suspension in mid-November, appeared to be a marked man by some referees. GRADE: C David Guralnick, Detroit News

Martin Frk: 68 games, 11 goals, 14 assists.
Started off so well, as opponents possibly weren’t totally familiar with his booming shot, but teams adjusted. Frk only had one goal over his last 23 games, and it’s up to him to diversify his game. GRADE: C David Guralnick, Detroit News

Luke Glendening: 69 games, 11 goals, 8 assists. Had the type of season the organization has come to expect, as an impactful penalty killer and defensive forward, with more offense. Important part of lineup, but with a manageable contract Glendening could be a popular trade target.
GRADE: B-minus David Guralnick, Detroit News

Darren Helm: 75 games, 13 goals, 18 assists. Largely stayed healthy, which has always been a difficulty, and with that Helm had an underrated season. Provided offense, was an able penalty killer and was effective in his usual checking role. Good veteran presence. GRADE: B David Guralnick, Detroit News

Gustav Nyquist: 82 games, 21 goals, 19 assists. Nyquist had a productive offensive season, and Blashill raved about the competitiveness Nyquist brings to each game. The Wings have a big decision to make going forward, as Nyquist is an unrestricted free agent next summer.
GRADE: B David Guralnick, Detroit News

Dylan Larkin: 82 games, 16 goals, 47 assists. Showed instances where full-fledged stardom may not be far away, particular the last several weeks. Taking on a leadership role, is self-accountable, and wants to face the best players. A definite cornerstone of the organization. GRADE: A-minus David Guralnick, Detroit News

Henrik Zetterberg: 82 games, 11 goals, 45 assists. His durability these past several seasons after back surgery has been remarkable. Zetterberg continues to be an impactful player on and off the ice. The Wings would be significantly weaker if he weren’t around.GRADE: B-plus David Guralnick, Detroit News

Frans Nielsen: 79 games, 16 goals, 17 assists. In his second season with the Wings you got a better understanding of what the organization saw when they signed Nielsen. Not a superstar, but a steady, sturdy, pro’s pro who makes his team better in subtle ways. GRADE: B David Guralnick, Detroit News

Anthony Mantha: 80 games, 24 goals, 24 assists.: Mantha can be maddening at times with his slumps and occasional lapses on the ice. But few players with his size have the type of hands and offensive instincts he possesses. He’s a big part of the Wings’ future. GRADE: B-plus David Guralnick, Detroit News

Evgeny Svechnikov: 14 games, 2 goals, 2 assists
COMMENT: Didn’t get ample ice time in a late-season audition, but Svechnikov did show some of the characteristics that should serve him well. Effective shot, good size, but might need a bit more seasoning. GRADE: Incomplete David Guralnick, Detroit News

Nick Jensen: 81 games, 0 goals, 15 assists. Held on to a regular spot in the lineup but didn’t necessarily progress after an impressive rookie NHL season. Jensen could be traded to open defensive positions for next season. GRADE: C-minus David Guralnick, Detroit News

Danny DeKeyser: 65 games, 6 goals, 6 assists. An ankle injury stalled DeKeyser’s start, and it took a while to get his timing. Was much better the second half, getting involved offensively and playing some of his best overall hockey in several years. GRADE: B-minus David Guralnick, Detroit News

Jonathan Ericsson: 81 games, 3 goals, 10 assists. Ericsson formed a decent top defensive pairing with Trevor Daley. His size and skating ability are valuable on this defensive unit, but on most teams he isn’t a first-pairing defenseman. GRADE: C-plus David Guralnick, Detroit News

Joe Hicketts: 5 games, 0 goals, 3 assists. In a brief late-season audition Hicketts showed a confidence that could serve him well in the NHL. He compensates for lack of size with an impressive swagger. Can run a power play, but has to be a bit more cautious. GRADE: Incomplete David Guralnick, Detroit News

Trevor Daley: 77 games, 9 goals, 7 assists. The Wings’ key free agent acquisition pretty much had the type of season the team expected. Daley provided a stabilizing presence on a blue line that desperately needed it. GRADE: B-minus David Guralnick, Detroit News

Niklas Kronwall: 79 games, 4 goals, 23 assists. The old warhorse keeps going, and will for one more season. Kronwall overcame the knee pain to play some tough minutes but age is rapidly catching up. His leadership can’t be overlooked. GRADE: C David Guralnick, Detroit News

Xavier Ouellet: 45 games, 0 goals, 7 assists. At this point it’s probably best for Ouellet to get a fresh start in another organization. Couldn’t gain a regular spot in the lineup and was hesitant when he did play. GRADE: D-plus David Guralnick, Detroit News

Jimmy Howard: 22-27-9, .910 SVS. 2.85 GAA. Arguably the first-half MVP of this team, and Howard’s play didn’t slip much after that. Has had an admirable resurgence the last two seasons after appearing to be expansion or trade fodder. Could end up finishing his career here. GRADE: B-plus David Guralnick, Detroit News

General manager Ken Holland took another step toward rebuilding this organization by trading goalie Petr Mrazek (to Philadelphia) and forward Tomas Tatar (to Las Vegas) and acquiring draft picks. The Wings have 11 this June, in what could be an important turning point. The roster continued to get younger, with an eye toward the future, during an overall drab season. GRADE: C David Guralnick, Detroit News

Coach Jeff Blashill and his assistants arguably got as much as they could out of this roster. A year ago there were concerns about the lack of progress of some younger players. That wasn’t an issue this season, with Larkin, Mantha and Bertuzzi all enjoying fine seasons. This team also played hard in March with nothing much to play for. The special teams, though, continue to be ranked near the bottom of the league. GRADE: B-minus. David Guralnick, Detroit News

Blashill didn’t worry about the speculation swirling whether he would be retained, or not.

“I’m certainly glad to be coach of the Detroit Red Wings; it’s a job I love,” Blashill said. “I’m excited about trying to keep this thing moving in the right direction, to put this franchise where everybody wants it. I’m excited about the opportunity, and about continuing that job.

“I do the very best job I can every day, I don’t ever try to worry about things out of my control. My focus has been on trying to help this team be the very best I can be and individually the best they can be.

“I said it late in the year, over the course of the final two months (when the Red Wings were slipping out of playoff contention), it was making sure we’re building toward the future and my focus has been on that.”